Festival protesting AGL fracking planned for The Steps

A PROTEST festival starting on September 12 is being planned in Gloucester

Protesters at Gloucester

A PROTEST festival at The Steps starting on September 12 is being planned in response to the approval of AGL’s plans to frack four coal seam gas wells in Gloucester.

A new Facebook group, ‘Concerned Humans of the World’ is hosting the event, which it is calling a free peaceful protest-festival against the fracking and possible contamination of waterways in the Manning and Myall River catchment areas.

The group is urging people to make donations towards the “long term fight against similar destructive ventures in this area and abroad”.

The two-day event will include free camping, live music, topical speakers and courtesy buses to and from the site.

Tickets are reportedly available from the protest information desk, at the rest area opposite Gloucester Golf Course, or by request on the Concerned Humans of the World page or at the gate on the day.

Already 160 people have indicated they will be attending the event.

Meanwhile, a second Facebook group calling itself the ‘Gloucester Protection Camp’ has already attracted some 600 likes.

Set up on August 24 the group’s Facebook page is urging people from the State to “come and join the Gloucester Protection Camp and take peaceful action against AGL”.

They have encouraged people to use the hash-tag #protectgloucester to support their cause.

The group says free camping is available and that “local farmers, tourism business operators and supports need your support - can you come take part?”